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ufcasey's review
4.0
This is one of the better historical romances I have read in quite some time, and yes it's a 'clean' romance so I am as shocked as anyone by how much I really liked this. It has realistic characters, a strong plot, and pulled my emotional heart strings. And maybe most importantly of all, it even relates to an important topic that applies even today. Recommended!
gonturans's review against another edition
4.0
A honest to God clinically depressed heroine in MY histrom? It’s more likely than you think.
yaragirl's review
4.0
Mimi Matthews is one of my favorite new historical romance writers. Her attention to historical details is admirable and very much appreciated. I can't tell you how often I read a romance novel and have to side-eye some wholly unnecessary anachronism.
This novella is the first in a series of Victorian Romantics novellas. The protagonist Beryl Burnham and Mark Rivenhall are childhood friend but unfortunately Beryl is engaged to Mark's older brother. However, love will find a way. I liked that Beryl wasn't your typical heroine, she's someone who has to live with a condition many of us have to live with but it was particularly hard to her to deal with it in that era where the complexities of the condition were not understood.
Friends to lovers is a great trope and here we have a very nice execution of it. I liked both Beryl and Mark and I thought they were a lovely couple.
The audiobook narrator was Alex Wyndham who's not a favorite of mine but he narrates almost all of Mimi's books so I have to live with it.
This novella is the first in a series of Victorian Romantics novellas. The protagonist Beryl Burnham and Mark Rivenhall are childhood friend but unfortunately Beryl is engaged to Mark's older brother. However, love will find a way. I liked that Beryl wasn't your typical heroine, she's someone who has to live with a condition many of us have to live with but it was particularly hard to her to deal with it in that era where the complexities of the condition were not understood.
Friends to lovers is a great trope and here we have a very nice execution of it. I liked both Beryl and Mark and I thought they were a lovely couple.
The audiobook narrator was Alex Wyndham who's not a favorite of mine but he narrates almost all of Mimi's books so I have to live with it.
lilybear's review
5.0
4.5 Stars. This book has a more sober tone to it compared Mimi Matthews' previous works as protagonist Beryl struggles with depression in 18th century England. Having returned from a year long journey Beryl prepares to face a practical marriage to Lord Henry Rivenhall while romantically oblivious to Mark Rivenhall's feelings for her. Mark has been in achingly, painful love with his soon to be sister-in-law and her year long absence has done nothing to quell his passions. The chemistry between Beryl and Mark combined with the 'forbidden love' angle made swooning amounts of tension. Oh, and did I mention Mark is a clergyman? Despite the deliciousness of the scenario Beryl's battle with depression was met with all the seriousness and trepidation the subject demands. I was really proud of Beryl's development as she gains her footing and starts fighting for her happiness. Mark was lovely support for her, but I did wish we saw some more action or development from him. I suppose Beryl just stole the spotlight. I also appreciated the sort of symbolism of her whitework hobby. Something can be beautiful even if its not in plain sight, you just need the right man to notice and appreciate it.
A big thanks to Mimi Matthews as I won this ARC through a contest she ran.
A big thanks to Mimi Matthews as I won this ARC through a contest she ran.
littlebookjockey's review
5.0
This is a beautifully written book, one that touched me in ways I didn't expect. I was deeply invested in Beryl's struggle, and Mark was wonderful. I had my issues with Henry, as I suspect many have, but some (not all) of it was due to the circumstances thrust upon him. There may come a day when I'm disappointed with something Mimi Matthews writes, but it is not today.
Read my full review at Little Book Jockey.
Read my full review at Little Book Jockey.
pencole's review
4.0
4.5✨
He still loved her. He couldn’t imagine a day when he wouldn’t, not even after they were separated by her marriage and his removal to some distant parish. The kind of love he felt for Beryl Burnham didn’t flicker out merely because they didn’t see each other. A year apart hadn’t managed to extinguish it. He suspected that nothing ever would.
He still loved her. He couldn’t imagine a day when he wouldn’t, not even after they were separated by her marriage and his removal to some distant parish. The kind of love he felt for Beryl Burnham didn’t flicker out merely because they didn’t see each other. A year apart hadn’t managed to extinguish it. He suspected that nothing ever would.
melmo2610's review
4.0
This was a great read. I honestly wasn’t sure what my rating would end up being in the middle of the story because parts of the story were so sad and hopeless feeling. BUT, the ending third or so was so so good! I ended up really liking the book based on the end because it redeemed the parts that were hard. Excellent!
themoonwholistens's review
4.0
A victorian era romance novella that focuses on mental health?? I am here for it.
This felt like everything you would want in a classic chivalric victorian story. Thought it's not that long and is relatively light, it's very well written. I loved that mental health was given a huge focus without it being treated as a source of conflict. It's very victorian but also very modern with the themes it tackles. The romance was pure and wholesome (get you a man that reads books to you when you're down).
We really need to stop romanticizing toxic relationships and hype up the good non-toxic men ❤️ It was so easy to love the main characters and get lost in the writing that I am in the mood to go take a walk under trees while leaves are falling and daydream a while.
The various character relationships tied together so well in the end and if you're put off by the fact that the romance might get in the way of the brothers, trust me, Mimi Matthews will take care of it.
↣ Read for when you are craving a heart-warming short read that will make want to fall in love over letters to your best friend, lace handkerchiefs, and a fallen tree in the forest. It's that classique victoriance romance without all the scheming and annoying toxicity (among the main characters). Exactly everything I love bundled up in this neat little bow of a book. ↢
P.S. I thought he was a priest at first so I found it weird but thankfully it's not really what I thought.
— 4.5 —
⇢ content warnings// mental health stigma, domestic violence (off-page)
⇢ representation: main character w/ depression
“This burden of yours—this sadness—I want you to leave it with me for a day or two.”
This felt like everything you would want in a classic chivalric victorian story. Thought it's not that long and is relatively light, it's very well written. I loved that mental health was given a huge focus without it being treated as a source of conflict. It's very victorian but also very modern with the themes it tackles. The romance was pure and wholesome (get you a man that reads books to you when you're down).
We really need to stop romanticizing toxic relationships and hype up the good non-toxic men ❤️ It was so easy to love the main characters and get lost in the writing that I am in the mood to go take a walk under trees while leaves are falling and daydream a while.
“It gives you pleasure doesn't it? The hours you spend in creating it? That alone makes it a thing of value.”
The various character relationships tied together so well in the end and if you're put off by the fact that the romance might get in the way of the brothers, trust me, Mimi Matthews will take care of it.
↣ Read for when you are craving a heart-warming short read that will make want to fall in love over letters to your best friend, lace handkerchiefs, and a fallen tree in the forest. It's that classique victoriance romance without all the scheming and annoying toxicity (among the main characters). Exactly everything I love bundled up in this neat little bow of a book. ↢
P.S. I thought he was a priest at first so I found it weird but thankfully it's not really what I thought.
— 4.5 —
⇢ content warnings// mental health stigma, domestic violence (off-page)
⇢ representation: main character w/ depression